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Article published In: Writing Systems: Past, present (… and future?)
Edited by Terry Joyce and Robert Crellin
[Written Language & Literacy 22:2] 2019
► pp. 247–279

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On the notions of graphematic representation and orthography from the perspective of the Japanese writing system

 | Tama University
 | Hiroshima Shudo University
Published online: 30 March 2020
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/wll.00028.joy
Abstract
This paper addresses two closely related topics for understanding the highly fungible nature of written Japanese. The first is to consider the relative merits of the notions of graphematic representation and orthography with respect to the Japanese writing system (JWS). The second issue is to advocate an inclusive notion of intentionality, which together with the notion of conventionality, provides an approach to thinking about the pervasive nature of graphematic variation within the JWS. Accordingly, the principle Japanese orthographic conventions are outlined in Part 3, while the more substantive Part 4 presents a tentative classification of the various factors of intentionality that also exert considerable influence over contemporary written Japanese.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The terms of writing system, script and orthography
  • 3.Japanese orthographic conventions
  • 4.The intentionality of Japanese graphematic representation
    • 4.1Message context
    • 4.2Script sensibilities
    • 4.3Creative representation
  • 5.Concluding remarks
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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